Call for urgent action on migrants

The Italian authorities have been joined by the Deputy Mayor of Nice in calling for Europe to sit up and take notice and respond to the growing migration crisis, a problem likely to grow in the context of climate change.

In a statement on Monday, July 24, Marine Brenier, who is also a Deputy for the neighbouring Alpes-Maritimes, asked the French government and Europe to respond to the migratory pressure in the department and more particularly in Nice, as migrants make their way across Italy and into France.

“For several months, the Alpes-Maritimes department, and more particularly our French capital, have been assailed by people trying to get to England. Even today, nearly 200 migrants have arrived illegally in Nice,” she said.

“Remember that Cédric Herrou was sentenced to a €3,000 fine suspended by the Nice Criminal Court for helping foreigners in an irregular situation. The authorities have not appreciated the feeling of insecurity and the problems related to the passage of individuals, who are certainly suffering, but who, in a troubled security context, worry our fellow citizens and disrupt public order.”

Ms Brenier added that the government and Europe must accept their responsibilities in the face of an unstable situation and a migratory wave that will continue to increase over the years, “notably with the underestimated phenomenon of climate change”.

A wave of cold weather affecting large parts of France will also hit the Principality over the next few days. Meteo France is forecasting overnight lows of 5 and 6 degrees celsius for Monaco from Wednesday, February 7 until the weekend, with a low of 4 degrees at night on Sunday, following a cold and sunny day with a high of 13. The cold spell is expected to last for at least two weeks.
Twenty-two French departments - including Ile-de-France, which includes Paris - have issued cold alerts for those sleeping rough. This triggering of the emergency warning will involve the opening of an additional 1,000 emergency overnight sleeping places to add to the 13,000 already in place.
The blast of cold air is spreading into France from Eastern Europe, coming into conflict with warmer air from the Mediterranean. Heavy snow and rain can be expected this week across the south and east of France.

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The Monaco Government is asking residents to reduce power use between 6 pm and 8 pm again Wednesday as the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region is experiencing temperatures below normal.
The French electrical grid — on which Monaco depends for its electrical supply — has been facing "very strong" consumption. In with this exceptional situation, the Government of Monaco and SMEG calls on "all consumers in Monaco to reduce their electricity consumption during peak evening hours in order to avoid power cuts in the region,” the Government said on Tuesday afternoon.
Users are asked to turn off lights in unoccupied rooms, run central heating at no more than 19°C, switch off electrical appliances running on standby, and use washing machines and dishwashers later in the evening.